Give Back

Give Back

I know this is a bit different from my traditional posts but I wanted to take some time from all the shopping, styling and sales this weekend, to share something that is super important to me. Often times we get to busy wrapped up in our own lives that we forget that we have enough time to help others and give back. Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has created their Band Together campaign to inspire others to find ways to give back in their community and help them decide where you think their charitable donation should go.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is donating a total of $2 million to support 3 causes – health, home and hunger through their campaign called Band Together. The nonprofits benefiting are: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and Feeding America or Food Banks Canada. I want you to Band together with Jewelers Mutual to help decide how to disperse the record-breaking donation by voting for your choice of causes from July 11th – July 31st.  The cause that receive the most votes by the end of July will receive a $1 million donation from Jewelers Mutual. The runner-up will receive $700,000 and $300,000 will go to the third-place winner. Being rewarded for your efforts through the campaign, voters will be entered for a chance to win weekly jewelry prizes. Vote daily to increase your chances of winning!

But how can you help out in your community? I think a lot of people are intimidated by the idea of donating their efforts to a good cause or charity due to their lack of time. Philanthropy doesn’t have to take a lot of time for you to make a difference. Giving up an hour can make the biggest impact in helping others. Whether that’s donating clothing or time, every little bit counts.

Recently I had the opportunity to donate my own time with my co-workers for a philanthropy event. We spent the morning fixing a children’s care center by landscaping, building chairs for their computer room, and any other help they needed around the grounds. Donating a few hours of my time made a big impact. I know a lot of us don’t have time, so here are a few ideas on how you can help out in your local community:

• Clean out your closet and donate your old clothing
  • There are plenty of people out their that want your old clothing. Donating them to the homeless shelter or a foundation that will sell them in return to help fund projects.
• Donate to the Food Bank
  • I tend to forget about a lot of canned and boxed food I purchase. I usually like to go through my pantry and cabinets a few times a year and donate food that I know I wont eat or just want to get rid of. The Food Bank usually only gets donations during the holidays, so giving back whenever you can during the year helps them tremendously.
• Volunteer at your job
  • Most companies offer philanthropy events yearly. Signing up will allow you to give back, but with familiar faces around you. I personally enjoy doing this because I love hanging out with my co-workers in a non-business setting. It also allows you to network with new people and give back at the same time.

So be sure to get out in your community and give back! Also, do not forget to vote for the Jewelers Mutual Band Together campaign, we can all make a difference!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.